Latine Heritage Month
Latine Heritage Month
This year’s Latine Heritage Month theme, Con Ganas Sin Miedo: They buried us but they didn’t know we were seeds, honors the resilience, strength, and joy that continue to grow within our communities, even in the face of adversity. Amid national conversations and decisions that often impact Latine people in complex and painful ways, we choose to center hope, connection, and the unwavering drive to build a better future for ourselves and each other.
2025 has brought both challenges and growth. It also marks an important milestone at Western: the opening of La Plaza in its new, permanent home in Viking Union 507. For the first time, WWU’s Latine students have a dedicated space that reflects our needs, cultures, and dreams - right in the heart of the Viking Union. With La Plaza now located near the Black Student Coalition, we’re deepening cross-cultural solidarity while continuing to offer a space where Latine students can feel rooted, seen, and celebrated.
As we reflect on this year’s theme and look ahead, we invite the campus community to join us in honoring the histories, contributions, and lived experiences of Latine people at Western and beyond. Latine Heritage Month is not only a celebration - it’s a commitment to visibility, community, and the seeds we continue to plant for generations to come.
Artist Statement: Valentina Del Risco Sanchez
As a Latina artist and educator born in Chile to Colombian parents and raised across several Latin American countries, my work is rooted in the layered experiences of migration, identity, and resistance from a diverse perspective. I work across digital and traditional media, using symbolic and natural elements, especially plants and the environments that surround us, as tools to give voice to my community. I consider myself a political artist, committed to visual storytelling that empowers, uplifts, and reclaims.
This is my second year contributing to the marketing and artwork for Latine Heritage Month at Western, and this piece carries special meaning as my final project as an employee of La Plaza before graduating. I poured my heart into it, and when reflecting on this year’s theme, “Con ganas y sin miedo,” the image came to me instantly; a powerful reminder of who we are. The raised fist sprouting with flowers represents resilience and strength in unity: we bloom through struggle, especially when we lift one another up.
The piece includes national flowers from across Latin America and the Caribbean, symbolizing the diversity that makes our communities so powerful and unique.
Through this body of work, I hope to create spaces of recognition and belonging, where our stories are seen, honored, and remembered in full color.
Latine (pronounced la·ˈ ti· ne) is a gender-neutral form of the word Latino, created by LGBTQIA+, gender non-binary, and feminist communities in Spanish speaking countries. The objective of the term Latine is to remove gender from the Spanish word Latino/a, by replacing it with the gender-neutral Spanish letter E. This idea is native to the Spanish language and can be seen in many gender-neutral words like “estudiante”. –callmelatine.com
Schedule Of Events
La Plaza Opening Reception
Thursday, September 25, 4-7pm
Viking Union 507
Join us as we celebrate the opening of La Plaza in its new, permanent location. Stop by for authentic champurrado, pan dulce, and a chance to check out the space and connect with others in the community.
Joteria Loteria
Friday, October 3, 5:30-7:30pm
Viking Union Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
Join us for an evening of games, food, and community as we celebrate the beauty of intersectional identities. Hosted by Tacoma’s own AfroLatina diva, Queen Isabella Richards, this event is a collaboration between La Plaza, LGBTQ+ Western, and the Black Student Coalition. Come through for a joyful night that honors culture, queerness, and connection.
WWU Athletics - Latine Heritage Month Celebration Men's soccer vs Western Oregon
Saturday, October 4, 7-9pm
Harrington Field
Cheer on the Vikings as they take on Western Oregon in a classic rivalry match. The celebration will feature a special halftime performance by Danza Eterna and opportunities to support Latine student clubs from La Plaza through fundraising booths. Whether you're here for the game, the culture, or both - this is a night you won’t want to miss.
Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda Reception
Tuesday, October 14, 4-6pm in La Plaza
Viking Union 507
You're invited to gather in La Plaza’s new home to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. Join us in decorating picture frames for our community ofrenda, while enjoying arroz con leche. This is a time for reflection, connection, and celebration of life - rooted in tradition and shared in community.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Saturday, November 1, 4-7pm
Syre Auditorium Whatcom Community College
Join us for an evening of remembrance, culture, and celebration at this annual community event honoring Día de los Muertos. The celebration will feature a special keynote by poet Yosimar Reyes, performances by Danza Eterna, live music from Aporto Versado, delicious food, and more.
This event is free and open to the public. Hosted by Whatcom Community College and WWU Multicultural Student Services.
Aleyda Cervantes – Con Ganas Sin Miedo Summit
Thursday, November 6
Sessions:
- Lunch with Aleyda: VU 735 12-1pm
- Workshop: 2-3pm in La Plaza
- Keynote, Alumni Panel, & Dinner: 5:30-7:30pm in VU MPR
Join La Plaza, Woodring College of Education, and Ethnic Studies as we welcome WWU alumna Aleyda Cervantes back to campus for a day of conversation, learning, and community. Through lunch, a student workshop, and a keynote dinner featuring an alumni panel, Aleyda will explore themes of identity, resistance, and student power under the banner of Con Ganas Sin Miedo.
Latine Heritage Month Planning Committee
- Valentina Del Risco Sanchez, La Plaza Latine Center Student Program Specialist
- Valentina Larrondo, Student Leader, Latine Student Union
- Yareli Farias, Student Leader, Latine Student Union
- Mariana Castro Escobedo, Student Leader, Latine Student Union
- Arcelia Duran, Student Leader, Latine Student Union
- Alessandra Guerrero-Aviles, Student Leader, ALPHA and MBSA
- Alexa Garica Jimenez, Student Leader, ALPHA
- Katie Larios, SACNAS Council Member
- Roberto Sanchez, Student Leader, Latinx Men in Higher Education/Danza Eterna
- Arianna Luevanos, Student Leader, Danza Eterna
- Amelie, La Plaza Student Program Specialist
- Brandon Herrera Zavala, La Plaza Student Program Specialist
- Jasmin Montano, Student Leader, MEChA
- Ayanna Phillips, Program Manager, LGBTQ+ Western
- Amy Salinas Westmoreland, Director, Multicultural Student Services
- Lucas Gutiérrez Senger, Senior Instructor College of Business and Economics, College of Fine and Performing Arts
- Daisy Padilla, WCE Director of ADEI
- Dr. Lourdes Gutiérrez Nájera, Chair of Ethnic Studies and associate professor of Latinx Studies
- Dr. Vero Velez, Woodring College Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Secondary Education and Education and Social Justice
- Rodrigo Gonzalez-Juarez, La Plaza Retention Specialist, Multicultural Student Services
The History of Latine Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe Latine Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The observation of Latine Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. This month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Information provided by National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Community Partners & Sponsors
- Office of Multicultural Student Services
- La Plaza Latine Student Center
- LGBTQ+ Western
- Blue Resource Center
- Black Student Coalition
- Ethnic Studies
- Woodring College of Education
- WWU Athletics
- Whatcom Community College